Country Parks Hampshire

This lovely open space is located near Gosport and has 3 walking and cycling routes that show off the best areas of the 500 acre park. Enjoy woodland, lakes, ponds and views of the River Alver which runs through the park. There is also plenty for wildlife enthusiasts with reptiles, small mammals and a variety of birdlife to look out for.

This is a short, easy walk around the delightful Avon Heath Country Park near Ringwood. You will follow a series of peaceful woodland paths on this circuit of the park. The park is dominated by lowland and wet heath, acid grassland and heather, and woodland. There is also an abundance of widlife to look out for including Sand Lizards, Smooth Snakes and Dartford Warblers.
The park is ideal for families with a Nature Nursery for children which includes den building, pond dipping, mini beast hunting, campfires and outdoor cooking.

Farley Mount Country Park is located a few miles west of Winchester. It is a large area of open country and woods and a Local Nature Reserve. At the highest point there is a pyramid shaped folly that gives the park its name. From here there are fabulous views over the South Downs and the surrounding area. The route below is devised for walkers but cyclists can follow the marked bridleway that dissects the park and links to further routes in the surrounding countryside.

This short circular walk takes you through the peaceful Holly Hill Woodland Park and along the estuary of the River Hamble.
The park has two distinctive areas - Winnards Copse with a more formal landscape, lakes and ornamental exotic species and Cawtes Copse with its mix of native woodland species. There are two way marked trails of varying length following the footpath network around the site. The park is located in Sarisbury near Southampton.

Explore 440 acres of parkland in this attractive country park in Southampton. There are numerous walking trails and an off road cycle trail running through the park. The park contains a 250 acre water meadow nature reserve, 90 acres of ancient woodland and 60 acres of grazing land. The River Itchen also runs through the park.
The park has excellent facilities with a Visitor Centre built in the style of a 17th Century Hampshire Aisle Barn. The centre houses a gift shop and various interactive displays.

Enjoy 60 acres of lakes, wet meadow and woodland located between Eastleigh and Southampton. The park has a range of birds, insects and small mammals as well as the occasional fox and deer. There is also a miniature railway and a cafe.

A short walk around the peaceful Lakeside Nature Reserve in Aldershot. The reserve is a complex of wet habitats including river, ponds, lakes, reed beds, orchid meadow and wet woodland. The site includes the Basingstoke Canal and Gold Valley Lakes - a popular place for fishing (see video below)

Lepe is a coastal Country Park located near Southampton, in the New Forest National Park. There is a large beach and stunning cliffs where there are fabulous views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The park has excellent facilities with Barbeque areas, picnic areas and a cafe.
The route below is designed for walkers but there is a Lepe cycle route running through the park and the surrounding area - please click here for details.

This park has a number of delightful walking and cycling trails and is located just outside Southampton. The farm is 600 years old with historic buildings, barns and the 13th century St Bartholomew's church. You can feed the chickens and get up close to rabbits, chicks and ducklings.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, is situated in Ashley Heath, on the Dorset/Hampshire border. The park has a number of peaceful woodland paths so is a great place for a safe and easy cycle or walk. There are a number of well waymarked cycle and walking routes through the park, while there is also cycle hire available throughout the year.
The park contains the Moors River and two Lakes where you can see Grey Herons, Great Crested Grebes, Mallards and Mute Swans. There is also a steam railway and a 'Go Ape' adventure park.
Moors Valley is situated right next to Ringwood Forest so there is scope for continuing your ride for several miles through more peaceful woodland.

Explore 2000 acres of of open access woodland and downland in the South Downs on this circular walk or cycle in Hampshire. Highlights in the park include Butser Hill - the highest point on the South Downs with views to the Isle of Wight. There is also a Visitors Centre where you can sign up for a guided walk.
The park is very popular with mountain bikers with several off road trails running through the park. See the video below for example of what you can expect.Several long distance trails run through the park so there is great scope for extending your walk. You can pick up the Hangers Way, Staunton Country Park and the The South Downs Way all within the park boundaries.

Explore 200 acres of woodland, grassy parkland and coastline in this delightful coastal park located at Netley, near Southampton. The park features a number of delightful walking paths while National Cycle Network route 2 also passes through the park. You can take a ride on the miniature narrow-gauge railway which runs for around 1 mile through the park while there is also has a 150-ft viewing tower, giving views over the park, and across Southampton Water to Hythe and Southampton.
The park also hosts a rich variety of wildlife, with deer in the woodland and a number of coastal birds, including oyster catchers and brent geese.
The park is easily accessible with nearby train stations at Netley and Hamble.

Explore 326 acres of woodland, parkland, rough grassland, ponds, wetlands and nature trails on this lovely cycling and walking route in Southampton. The park also has a Wildlife Centre with interactive resources and educational facilities. Southampton Common can be found just north of the city centre near the main university campus.

Enjoy 1000 acres of landscaped parkland and forest at Staunton Country Park near Havant. Here you'll find a farm, two pretty lakes, a maze, a walled garden and glasshouses containing exotic tropical flowers and plants from around the world. There is also a visitor center, with animals and attractions and a number of interesting buildings including follies and a gothic library.
There are a number of trails ideal for walking and cycling while cycle hire is available at the Victorian Coach House. The route below starts and ends at the car park but Rowland's castle train station is another good access point situated less than a mile from the park.

Enjoy nearly 500 acres of heathlands, woodlands and ponds on this circular cycle or walk in Yately, Hampshire. The route begins at the car park by Wyndham's Pool and takes you along a sequence of peaceful woodland trails to Yately Heath Wood and Minley Wood, before returning to the start point.It's easy to extend your walk by heading south to Hawley Woods and Hawley Lake.Head north and you can visit the lovely Tri Lakes Country Park with its numerous pretty lakes and animal park.